Go Back  DVD Talk Forum > Entertainment Discussions > Video Game Talk
Reload this Page >

What is your favorite game formula?

Video Game Talk The Place to talk about and trade Video & PC Games

What is your favorite game formula?

Old 02-15-12, 12:51 PM
  #1  
wlj
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Thread Starter
 
wlj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Tobacco Road
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
What is your favorite game formula?

I am interested in hearing everyone's input.

here is my favorite game formula --- a guy(or girl) with a sword/axe/scythe/ etc..., some magic, a level or area full of enemies and a larger than life boss at the end.

that is my favorite type of game after 33 years of playing.


Dark Souls and the Ninja Gaiden series are my most memorable games that adhered to this formula. Dante's Inferno is a favorite of mine as well.

You can't beat the feeling of getting through a tough level of foes and getting to the end of the stage to see a short cinematic of the epic boss to take you on.

What is your favorite formula?

Do you have any suggestions of 360 games that fit my formula that I may have missed?
Old 02-15-12, 01:51 PM
  #2  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Maxflier's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 13,262
Received 243 Likes on 178 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Did you play the Conan game on 360?
Old 02-15-12, 01:56 PM
  #3  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: MN
Posts: 23,936
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Maybe try Darksiders and Wolverine (wolverine is a stretch thematically, but the gameplay is similar).
Old 02-15-12, 02:19 PM
  #4  
wlj
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Thread Starter
 
wlj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Tobacco Road
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Originally Posted by Maxflier
Did you play the Conan game on 360?

I have owned that game and thought it was decent.




Originally Posted by starman9000
Maybe try Darksiders and Wolverine (wolverine is a stretch thematically, but the gameplay is similar).

I have always thought of giving Darksiders a try, but I have read that it is "puzzle-heavy", is that true? I like a puzzle every now and then, but I don't like breaking up the action to try and figure a puzzle several times a game.

I haven't played the Wolverine game.


thanks for the suggestions.

do you fellas have a favorite formula?
Old 02-15-12, 02:58 PM
  #5  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Maxflier's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 13,262
Received 243 Likes on 178 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Originally Posted by wlj
do you fellas have a favorite formula?
Crime-based sandbox.
Old 02-15-12, 03:18 PM
  #6  
gamer for life
 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Muskogee, OK
Posts: 7,860
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

it has changed over the years...at one time a game like Baulders Gate...large open world RPG..but I now think RPG/shooters have become my favorite....Mass Effect 2 is my favorite game this generation...and maybe ever...
Old 02-15-12, 03:56 PM
  #7  
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
 
Kedrix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Katy, Tx
Posts: 4,446
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Good question.

I think open world RPG with lots of loot and things to do is my basic favorite game formula.

A more generic version would probably be:

Open world game, Lots of loot, reachable achievements, tons of different missons/quests and a well written story.

obviously, Skyrim fits this formula, but to a smaller degree, games like Mafia II also fit this formula.
Old 02-15-12, 06:53 PM
  #8  
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
 
adrenaline78's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Janesville, WI
Posts: 3,147
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

I don't think it matter as long as it's fun, challenging(but not overwhelming), and makes you think.


see the lego games. Easy enough for kids to enjoy, yet challenging enough for grown ups. (or big kids! =) )
Old 02-15-12, 07:37 PM
  #9  
DVD Talk Gold Edition
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,861
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

I have a couple:

Any of the standard genres that focuses more or exclusively on puzzles or have a good mix between the puzzles and action elements. Zelda mixes up the action with puzzle elements, Trine added phyiscs based puzzle elements to a platformer, as did games like Limbo and Braid, Portal was a first person puzzle game, and Half Life 2 had a lot of puzzle using the gravity gun. I get bored with a game that focuses too heavily on action, puzzles provide a great way to change up the pacing.

I also really like the Metroidvania formula.
Old 02-15-12, 07:44 PM
  #10  
DVD Talk Legend
 
astrochimp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 17,811
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Cars and tracks
Old 02-15-12, 09:06 PM
  #11  
DVD Talk Special Edition
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Explore levels. Fight enemies. Collect power-ups. At the end of each level, you fight a boss and then watch a noninteractive sequence.
Old 02-15-12, 10:05 PM
  #12  
DVD Talk Legend
 
mattysemo247's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,551
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Originally Posted by astrochimp
Cars and tracks
+1

I'm also a sucker for a good FPS
Old 02-15-12, 10:34 PM
  #13  
Moderator
 
Groucho's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 71,383
Received 122 Likes on 84 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Game-long escort mission.
Old 02-15-12, 10:46 PM
  #14  
DVD Talk Legend
 
astrochimp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 17,811
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Originally Posted by Groucho
Game-long escort mission.
Old 02-16-12, 07:44 AM
  #15  
wlj
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Thread Starter
 
wlj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Tobacco Road
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Originally Posted by Groucho
Game-long escort mission.


have you played ICO


that is the only game ever that i actually liked escorting a NPC.
Old 02-16-12, 08:30 AM
  #16  
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
 
Kedrix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Katy, Tx
Posts: 4,446
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Originally Posted by Groucho
Game-long escort mission.
And if the escort dies, then you go all the way back to the beginning of the game ?
Old 02-16-12, 08:39 AM
  #17  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: MN
Posts: 23,936
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Originally Posted by wlj
I have always thought of giving Darksiders a try, but I have read that it is "puzzle-heavy", is that true? I like a puzzle every now and then, but I don't like breaking up the action to try and figure a puzzle several times a game.

I haven't played the Wolverine game.


thanks for the suggestions.

do you fellas have a favorite formula?
I didn't think the puzzle element was too daunting in Darksiders. I'm a very casual gamer now, so wouldn't have finished it if they were.

As for my favorite formula, ideally a rich RPG in a fantasy setting would be it, but with kids and a job I've pretty much drifted into more linear RPG-lite games being my favorites. Stuff where your character gets stronger and finds better weapons, but where you don't have to spend more than a few seconds customizing them. Darksiders and Borderlands were probably my faves of this generation.
Old 02-16-12, 09:15 AM
  #18  
DVD Talk Hero
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 45,324
Received 1,021 Likes on 812 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

I like semi-linear RPG and Adventure games, unfortunately both are relatively uncommon. These days semi-linear RPGs are either nearly completely linear with hour long cut-scenes (Final Fantasy series) or completely open world (Skyrim). Adventure games barely exist outside of a few downloadable titles, but nothing akin to King's Quest 6, Gabriel Knight, Grim Fandango or Little Big Adventure. Also love puzzle games.

I like games that are epic in scope but actually fun, running around for hours collecting things and working my way up in guilds, well, most open world games in general, aren't fun to me.

My favorite game series of this generation have been Uncharted and Gears of War. My favorite games of last year were Catherine and Rayman Origins (I have yet to play Uncharted 3).
Old 02-16-12, 10:02 AM
  #19  
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
cruzness's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Home of the UF Gators and Nat'l Championships, Gainesville, FL
Posts: 7,864
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

RichC2 - sounds like Kingdoms of Amalur might be up your alley
Old 02-16-12, 10:03 AM
  #20  
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
cruzness's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Home of the UF Gators and Nat'l Championships, Gainesville, FL
Posts: 7,864
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

wlj - did you ever play Bayonetta? or Devil May Cry series? or Vanquish?
Old 02-16-12, 10:44 AM
  #21  
wlj
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Thread Starter
 
wlj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Tobacco Road
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Originally Posted by cruzness
wlj - did you ever play Bayonetta? or Devil May Cry series? or Vanquish?


Bayonetta -- yes I didn't finish it though...it was a little too "out there" for me

DMC series -- yes, DMC 1 = great, DMC 2 = bad, DMC 3 = great, DMC 4 = bad

Vanquish -- i have not played this one. I will check it out
Old 02-16-12, 04:01 PM
  #22  
DRG
DVD Talk Legend
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: ND
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Survival horror.

Also, FPS/TPS games where I have NPC allies, like Gears of War/Left 4 Dead. I like the illusion of comradery without the need to actually interact with another human being.
Old 02-16-12, 04:05 PM
  #23  
DVD Talk Godfather
 
fumanstan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 55,349
Received 26 Likes on 14 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Originally Posted by RichC2
I like semi-linear RPG and Adventure games, unfortunately both are relatively uncommon. These days semi-linear RPGs are either nearly completely linear with hour long cut-scenes (Final Fantasy series) or completely open world (Skyrim). Adventure games barely exist outside of a few downloadable titles, but nothing akin to King's Quest 6, Gabriel Knight, Grim Fandango or Little Big Adventure.
Same favorites here! Miss Adventure gaming, which is why i'm looking forward to seeing what Double Fine comes up with. I recently bought Gabriel Knight 1 and 2 on gog.com too.

I'd say the Bioware RPG's are semi-linear. Mass Effect and Dragon Age give you a little freedom to pick and choose when to complete different things, but it still moves you along the main story.
Old 02-16-12, 04:34 PM
  #24  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Liver&Onions's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Oregonzola
Posts: 14,293
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

I always was a fan of a red herb + green herb making a triple strength healing item.
Old 02-16-12, 04:34 PM
  #25  
Moderator
 
Groucho's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 71,383
Received 122 Likes on 84 Posts
Re: What is your favorite game formula?

Originally Posted by Liver&Onions
I always was a fan of a red herb + green herb making a triple strength healing item.
Wait...you could mix them?

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.